MARION, Iowa (KCRG) – Her face is almost everywhere you look… from the court, to billboards and commercials.
Over the last four years, the success of Caitlin Clark and the Iowa women’s basketball team has put a spotlight on the state and women’s sports.
Now, Vernon Middle School in Marion is thanking the team with a fundraiser to benefit the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital.
“I just thought this is an amazing impact not just on women and men but just Iowa in general,” Jake Fishell, a social studies teacher at Vernon Middle School, said. “I was like, ‘Hey, we’ve got to do this for the hospital.’ Let’s give them a thank you and hopefully it’ll reach the Iowa basketball team.”
Fishell helped organize the fundraiser and said the school has raised over $1,000 so far.
“This last week we’ve had two students come in and give $120 just for a good cause for families that are struggling with cancer of their child,” Fishell said.
He said the grade that raises the most money gets a life-size cutout of Clark in their classroom.
But the effect in the school goes beyond the classroom. Elli Netolicky, a P.E. teacher at the middle school, said she’s seen just how much the Iowa women’s team has grown over the years and the impact its had on students.
“The Caitlin Clark effect is real,” Netolicky said. “We have students now who they are trying to get in the gym more. They want to start lifting weights earlier more than ever before.”
Seventh grader Bristol Beachler said Clark has inspired her own game as a basketball player and track runner.
“She brought interest to a lot of people in the school and her attitude and effort is great,” Beachler said. “I feel like that’s just important to me and her attitude on and off the court just as a person.”
She said she’s even gotten advice from the team — with Hannah Stuelke as her cousin.
Seventh grader Brody Merritt is a part of wrestling, basketball, football and track, and said he’s seen the sport of basketball grow more than he expected.
“Basketball I did not think we [were] gonna have a lot of kids out,” Merritt said. “But I think ever since Caitlin Clark really got in the game, everyone started wanting [to] just try basketball and try new sports and just try to get themselves better.”
Eighth grader Aria Pegump said she comes from a basketball family and that Clark has inspired her to work even harder.
As a fan, she said the difference at games has been night and day.
“When I went to games when I was younger, there was never really anyone there and now they’re sold out every single game,” Pegump said.
Fishell said he and other teachers have even made Clark part of their curriculum — and said the whole team has become role models for these students.
“It’s great to see because all it does is add to the classroom. It’s an easy segue way into whatever you want to do,” Fishell said. “She promotes education. She’s promoting health. She’s promoting the hospital and those in need.”
He said he hopes other schools across Iowa join the fundraiser, which runs through April 8th. Their goal is to raise $4,000.
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